Biography
Both the music and the very name of Celtic trio Chulrua pay tribute to Ireland’s storied past. Much of the group’s material draws on classic instrumental dance pieces gathered directly from veteran players across the country. The moniker, pronounced cool-roo-ah, originated in the Irish Gaelic title given to a wolfhound that belonged to the legendary hero Fionn MacCumhaill; rendered literally, Chulrua means “red back,” the animal’s most striking trait.
Button accordionist Paddy O’Brien, guitarist and singer Pat Egan, and multi-instrumentalist Timmy Britton—whose arsenal includes uilleann pipes, tin whistle, and wooden flute—form the lineup. Honoring the music’s roots, the musicians favor close-quarter venues such as pubs and kitchens for both performance and recording. Their Barefoot on the Altar album was captured inside a modest Iowa church, where seventeen tracks appear, the majority adapted from longstanding melodies including “The Whinny Hills of Leitrim.” Hailing from County Offaly, O’Brien spent four decades collecting uncommon tunes and narratives from elder sources and earned a National Endowment for the Arts grant to document hundreds of traditional dance pieces; he also holds the title of champion in the Senior All-Ireland competition. Philadelphia-raised Britton enjoys recognition as a master of the uilleann pipes, while Tipperary’s Egan brings two decades of professional experience and a deeply expressive touch to his guitar accompaniments.
Button accordionist Paddy O’Brien, guitarist and singer Pat Egan, and multi-instrumentalist Timmy Britton—whose arsenal includes uilleann pipes, tin whistle, and wooden flute—form the lineup. Honoring the music’s roots, the musicians favor close-quarter venues such as pubs and kitchens for both performance and recording. Their Barefoot on the Altar album was captured inside a modest Iowa church, where seventeen tracks appear, the majority adapted from longstanding melodies including “The Whinny Hills of Leitrim.” Hailing from County Offaly, O’Brien spent four decades collecting uncommon tunes and narratives from elder sources and earned a National Endowment for the Arts grant to document hundreds of traditional dance pieces; he also holds the title of champion in the Senior All-Ireland competition. Philadelphia-raised Britton enjoys recognition as a master of the uilleann pipes, while Tipperary’s Egan brings two decades of professional experience and a deeply expressive touch to his guitar accompaniments.
Albums
